Is it always correct to use the Marcus cross relation for calculations of electron self-exchange rates?

Ariela Burg, Dan Meyerstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The rate constant of the electron self-exchange reaction, which proceeds via the outer sphere mechanism, k11, of a redox couple, reflects the basic tendency of the reaction to participate in redox processes. Often k11 is derived from the rate constant of a redox reaction, k12, by applying the Marcus cross relation: k12 = (k11k22K12f12)1/2W12. This derivation is based on the assumption that the products of the cross reaction are formed in their ground states. However, the k11 values obtained by this method for several redox systems, e.g. for [Co(NH3)6]3+/2+, Cu2+/+(aq) and Eu3+/2+(aq), depend strongly on the redox reaction studied for its derivation. It is proposed that these discrepancies are due to the formation, in some of these reactions, of products in vibrationally excited states and/or as isomers of the final products. Thus, the lowest value of k11 obtained experimentally is either correct or an upper limit for the correct value if correct k22 are used.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)737-740
Number of pages4
JournalInorganica Chimica Acta
Volume363
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Mar 2010

Keywords

  • Marcus cross relation
  • Outer sphere mechanism
  • Self-exchange rate constant

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry

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